Ambala

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Ambala
Ambala Location of Ambala in Haryana and India
Coordinates	30°23′N 76°47′E / 30.38°N 76.78°E / 30.38; 76.78
Country	India
State	Haryana
District(s)	Ambala
Population	1,685,945 (2001[update])
Sex ratio	921 ♂/♀
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 264 m (866 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 133001 • Telephone • +0171 • Vehicle • HR-01-

Ambala (Hindi: अम्बाला, Punjabi: ਅੰਬਾਲਾ) is a city and a municipal council in Ambala district in the state of Haryana, India. The city is located on the border of the states of Haryana and Punjab in India. Politically; Ambala has two sub-areas: Ambala Cantt (cantonment) and Ambala City, a approximately 6-7 kilometers apart from each other. It has a large Indian Army and Indian Air Force presence within the confines of its cantonment area. Due to its geographical location, the Ambala district plays an important role in local tourism. Tourists to Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh and Jammu & Kashmir have to cross through Ambala whether by road or rail.^{[citation needed]}

History

As per ancient Indian history, Aryan people had resided at Ambala at some point in time. There was a very popular place called Sarudhna near Ambala, which was the Aryan country's capital at that time. Ambala was given the status of a district in the year 1847.

The Ambala Cantonment was established in the year 1843 after the British abandoned its cantonment at Karnal, following the malaria epidemic of 1841-42. The cantonment houses the ‘2 Corps’ one of the three Strike Corps of the Indian Army and is of immense strategic importance.

Grand Trunk Road, at Ambala Cantonment, during British Raj

Ambala was constituted as a district in the year 1847, and was formed by merging the jagir estates of hitherto independent chieftains whose territories had lapsed or had been confiscated by the British Indian Government. In its 160 years of existence as a district, Ambala has witnessed many changes in its boundaries. In its heyday the district boundaries extended across tehsils of Ambala, Naraingarh, Jagadhri, Pipli, Kharar, Mohali, Ropar and Nalagarh. Kalka-cum-Kurari State, Pinjore, Manimajra, Kasauli & Sanawar were also merged into the district at different points of time.

Ambala Air Force Base is one of the oldest and largest airbases that were inherited from the British by the IAF. It was from this airbase that Spitfires and Harvards flown by Instructors of the Advanced Flying Training School took part in the 1947-48 Kashmir Operations. Subsequently, Ambala was the front line airfield for many years. It was home to various aircraft that were inducted into the Indian Air Force. Vampires, Ouragans, Hunters, etc. all flew from this base. The airbase was briefly attacked in 1965 by Pakistan Air Force's B-57 bombers. Today, the Airbase houses the ‘7 Wing’ with squadrons of Jaguars and MiG-21 Bisons. Ambala airfield has a war memorial called 'Frozen Tear' dedicated to all aircrew who lost their lives in times of war and peace flying missions from the airfield.

Origins of the name

There are quite a few interesting beliefs about the origin of Ambala:

• Some historians believe Ambala owes its name to King Singh; the founder of Ambala who was an Amb Rajput
• Some believe that it was named after the goddess "Amba" whose temple is located in the city
• Ambala was originally called "Ambwala", Amb meaning mango in the native language (so, city of Mangoes)
• Some people believe that Ambala got its name from Ambalika, mother of Pandu(father of Pandvas of the Mahabharat),with ancient times names of villages n town were kept on Kings n Queens.

Ambala at a glance

Today's Ambala District with an area of 1568.85 km² is a pale shadow of its original immense size.

The Ambala District now comprises two subdivisions (Ambala & Naraingarh) and three tehsils (Ambala, Barara & Naraingarh). It has a population of 16 Lakhs, which is about 5% of the total population of Haryana. It is bound by Mohali and Patiala districts of Punjab, Sirmaur District of Himachal and Yamunanagar & Kurukshetra districts of Haryana. Ambala district is represented by 5 Assembly Constituencies and 1 Lok Sabha Constituency.

Transport

The district is very strategically located and serves as a gateway to Haryana for States of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, and U.T. Chandigarh. 5 National Highways (NH 1, 22, 65, 72 and 73) pass through Ambala. NH1 (Delhi-Amritsar-Attari/ Pakistan Border) is the most important highway to Delhi for the areas north of Haryana. NH22 starts from Ambala and links NH1 to Shimla and beyond right up to China border at Shipkila. NH65 also starts at Ambala and links NH1 to Hissar and onwards to Jodhpur & Pali in Rajasthan.

Ambala Cantt Railway Station

Ambala is a divisional headquarters of the Northern Railway Zone and is an important railway junction. The Ambala Cantonment railway station was founded on the junction of the Delhi-Kalka and Ludhiana-Saharanpur lines. The historic Delhi-Ambala-Kalka railway line dates back to 1889 while the Ludhiana-Saharanpur line was built in 1870. Situated 200 km north of Delhi, this town is extremely well connected by the rail and road network. Ambala is a major railway junction.It has 12 railway platforms and a daily passage of about 250 trains.It also best rest stay for north India's tourist. G.T. Road (NH-1, National Highway 1) passes through Ambala Cantt and Ambala City.

Geography

Ambala is located at 30°23′N 76°47′E / 30.38°N 76.78°E / 30.38; 76.78.^[1] It has an average elevation of 264 metres (866 feet).

Education

Deemed University in Ambala

Maharishi Markandeshwar University

Colleges in Ambala:

• S. A. Jain (PG) College
• D.A.V. College
• MDSD Girls College
• Sohal Lal D.A.V. College of Education
• Dev Samaj College for women
• Govt. College
• G.M.N. College
• Arya Girls College
• SANATAN DHARAM COLLEGE

Professional education:

• AIMT Ambala for MBA and MCA.
• Ambala College of Engineering ..Mithapur
• Emax Group of College..for B.Tech, MBA etc.
• Shivalik institute of Technology

Ambala has a branch for institute of chartered accountants of India. prominent school in Ambala

• Sohan Lal DAV Senior Secondary School, Ambala City
• D.A.V. School
• Kendriya Vidyalayas in Ambala Cantt
• Air Force School and Army School in Ambala Cantt
• Jesus and Mary Convent
• P.K.R. Jain School, Ambala City
• Army Public School, Ambala Cantt
• Thaper education center,iqbal ganj road,ambala cantt
• DPS, Ambala
• S A Jain Sr Sec School,Jain college Road,Ambala City
• Happy Model School
• Lal Convent School

Market

The wholesale Gold & Textile market of Ambala City is famous all over India and it is the biggest wholesale market in Asia. The Gold Market is situated in Sarafa Bazaar Near Kotwali Bazaar.The new textile market is situated near Aggarsain Chowk. The Galaxy mall was recently inaugurated in Sector 7, Ambala City. It includes Fun Cinema, Reebok, Madame, Archies, Hues, McDonalds, Adidas. Due to its strategic position Ambala has always been travellers favourites stop over place to eat. The most famous places to have the best delicacies are Puran Singh Ka Dhaba, Amar Palace, Choupal, The USA Gardens, Maharaja, RGs, Jain Soda Water and Standard Restaurant.

Places of interest

There are many shrines in and around Ambala City, Kaali Maata Mandir, popularly known as "kaali baadi "at Labbu wala talab on ghel road, Shiv Mandir near old civil hospital, including Bhawani Amba Temple (named after the goddess) and Jainism temple 110 years old located in middle of old ambala city. Ambala sweet market formerly known as Halwai Bazar is also very famous.It has individual lane for all dishes(Parantha gali, gol gappa gali,kulche wale)

Ambala is home to many Gurdwaras (Sikh temples), some of which have historical importance. The Badshahi Bag Gurudwara, Sis Ganj Gurudwara, Manji Sahib Gurudwara, Labhuwala Talaah, Sat Sangat Sahib Gurdwara, Panjokra Sahib Gurudwara in Panjokhra village (7 km. far from ambala city) are the historical gurudwaras here. In Ambala Cantt, one can visit Patel Park, in Army area.

These are associated with Guru Gobind Singh, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Hargobind respectively. Ichha Poorak Dham इच्छा पूरक धाम is a Gurudwara dedicated to Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji is situated at village Devinagar, 2 kilometers away from Ambala City.

There are also the popular Muslim shrines of Lakhi Shah and Taqwal Shah, Saint Paul's Church and a British, Christian cemetery.

• Chandigarh is a 45 km (30 minutes drive) from Ambala.
• Kalka is situated on the national highway (number 22) Ambala-Shimla.
• Panchkula is a newly built city on the Ambala-Kalka national highway and Ambala-Kalka railway line near Chandigarh.
• Pinjore comes under the Panchkula district and is known for its exquisite gardens.
• Kurukshetra (the battle of Mahabharata was fought here) is also just 45 minutes drive from Ambala Cantt.

Ambala is also known as Sikh jatt place & in the villages they have taste of Punjab virsa as well as Haryana's culture

• Karnal is situated on the national highway (NH-1) which is 80KM from Ambala.

District administration

• The Deputy Commissioner, an officer belonging to the Indian Administrative Service, is the overall in-charge of the General Administration in the district. He is assisted by a number of officers belonging to Haryana Civil Service and other Haryana state services.

• The Superintendent of Police, an officer belonging to the Indian Police Service, is responsible for maintaining Law & Order and related issues in the district. He is assisted by the officers of the Haryana Police Service and other Haryana Police officials.

• The Deputy Conservator of Forests, an officer belonging to the Indian Forest Service, is responsible for the management of the Forests, Environment and Wild-Life in the district. He is assisted by the officers of the Haryana Forest Service and other Haryana Forest officials and Haryana Wild-Life officials.

• Sectoral development is looked after by the district head/officer of each development department such as PWD, Health, Education, Agriculture, Animal husbandry, etc. These officers are from various Haryana state services.

• In Ambala City there is a special court of CBI. All investigation of CBI in Haryana comes under this court.
• Ambala cantt is memorable place.once we visit it we can feel the ancienty of indian culture.
• Ambala cantt is also famous for very old shops there.People are so sticked to their profession from ages.

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[2] Ambala had a population of 139,222. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Ambala has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 55% of the males and 45% of females literate. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Before the Partition there was a large population of Muslim residents, but they were forced to leave due to violence. 70% of the Ambala population are Sikhs. During the late 1980s Sikh militants had a strong hold of Ambala and much of Haryana area and made it very dangerous for visitors to travel the northern parts of India.

References

1. ^ "Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Ambala". http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/10/Ambala.html. 
2. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.